Is Church Simply A Social Event (atheist, bible, worship, quote)

[Melvin.George]

A place to go for a couple of hours a week, drop off a donation and feel good about it?

A place to marry?

A place to work with children and young folks?

A place to have covered plate dinners?

A place to speak to the church family?

A place which conducts religious retreats?

A place to get acquainted with the man who will conduct a memorial at the time of one's death?

A place to ensure that enough folks will show up at that memorial to avoid embarrassment?

[XVicariousX]

I dont believe in any religion but i know many that do, really it depends on the church there are alot of groups out there that are totally serious about there believes and go there only for church and only to discuss religion, but id say the majority just goes because other people go, and they don't wanna feel left out, and they wanna have that feeling like look at me im here i go to church ima believer, then they all compare clothes and gossip about people who didn't show ????? ugly dress ect.
That sounds harsh but when i used to go thats what happened, and im guessing if the times have changed, theyve changed for the worse.

[noland123]

People should go to church with the intent to have fellowship with the Lord and with each other,as it all should be directed toward Him as it is His house and one should be respectul of it as it is not a social club ,but a place of worship.

[Horn of ‘83]

Church is a place to:

-attend corporate worship,

-engage in Bible study, and

-a launching point for ministry in our community & world.

[Fullback32]

I don't get the corporate worship thing. To my people, belief is intensely personal. When we pray, we pray alone as we traditionally believe that these things are between the Creator and individuals only. Even among many Comanches who have become Christians, public displays of spirituality is considered unseemly and is frowned upon.

[YouDon'tKnowMe]

In addition to providing sound Biblical instruction a good church should grey much be a placE for socializing. But that's not all that ts about.

[MontanaGuy]

I do know sincere Christians who take going to church much more seriously than a social event including family members so I can't accept the question of the OP as an accurate description of everyone who attends church. It is true that there is a strong social element involved in attending services because bonds are being formed with like minded individuals and I see nothing wrong with that. Since I'm an atheist I also try to seek out other atheists, mainly on the internet since there's so few of us, to try to connect with others who share my lack of belief in religion and possibly ideas that we might have in common.
I must admit that when I did attend church in my youth it was mainly due to the social aspect of it because my friends were also attending. It never really took hold with me and I realized I was an atheist when I was fairly young and stopped going to church since that time (early sixties).
I just think it should be pointed out that there are many believers who take this very seriously and for them it rises far above the level of a social event.

[Oakback]

Originally Posted by Melvin.George

A place to go for a couple of hours a week, drop off a donation and feel good about it?

A place to marry?

A place to work with children and young folks?

A place to have covered plate dinners?

A place to speak to the church family?

A place which conducts religious retreats?

A place to get acquainted with the man who will conduct a memorial at the time of one's death?

A place to ensure that enough folks will show up at that memorial to avoid embarrassment?

No doubt, to some.

I don't have a problem with it. There are worse places to hang out.

[Kaye02]

Originally Posted by XVicariousX

I dont believe in any religion but i know many that do, really it depends on the church there are alot of groups out there that are totally serious about there believes and go there only for church and only to discuss religion, but id say the majority just goes because other people go, and they don't wanna feel left out, and they wanna have that feeling like look at me im here i go to church ima believer, then they all compare clothes and gossip about people who didn't show ????? ugly dress ect.
That sounds harsh but when i used to go thats what happened, and im guessing if the times have changed, theyve changed for the worse.

This has been my experience as well. I suspect a lot of my family members are this way. Deep down I really doubt they even believe in god, they sure don't strive to be more like Jesus, but going to church gives them a sense of belonging.

[Horn of ‘83]

Originally Posted by Fullback32

I don't get the corporate worship thing. To my people, belief is intensely personal. When we pray, we pray alone as we traditionally believe that these things are between the Creator and individuals only. Even among many Comanches who have become Christians, public displays of spirituality is considered unseemly and is frowned upon.

I do both.